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US rivals fight on after key day US rivals fight on after key day
(20 minutes later)
The main contenders in the race for the US presidency have made clear gains in Super Tuesday's state votes, but none has delivered a knock-out blow. US Republican John McCain moved closer to his party's presidential nomination after Super Tuesday's polls, while the Democratic race stayed finely balanced.
On the Republican side John McCain took a commanding lead, although outsider Mike Huckabee did better than expected. Mr McCain won the big states of California and New York, although Mike Huckabee did better than expected.
For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton won the big-prize states of New York and California, but rival Barack Obama also secured many votes. For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton won in New York and California, but rival Barack Obama also did well by winning in 13 states.
It was the biggest day in the race to pick candidates in November's election.It was the biggest day in the race to pick candidates in November's election.
The clearest winner was Senator McCain, who dealt a serious blow to his closest pursuer, Mitt Romney, by taking California. Mr McCain's gains seriously wounded his main rival, Mitt Romney, the BBC's James Coomerasamy in Washington says.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton8 states, 582 delegates
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Arizona, California
Barack Obama13 states, 562 delegates
Georgia, Illinois, Delaware, Alabama, Utah, North Dakota, Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Alaska, Missouri2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP

Republicans

Mike Huckabee5 states, 147 delegates
West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee
John McCain9 states, 511 delegates
Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Missouri, California
Mitt Romney7 states, 176 delegates
Massachusetts, Utah, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP

Democrats

Hillary Clinton8 states, 582 delegates
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Arizona, California
Barack Obama13 states, 562 delegates
Georgia, Illinois, Delaware, Alabama, Utah, North Dakota, Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Alaska, Missouri2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP

Republicans

Mike Huckabee5 states, 147 delegates
West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee
John McCain9 states, 511 delegates
Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Missouri, California
Mitt Romney7 states, 176 delegates
Massachusetts, Utah, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Alaska, Minnesota1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP
Mr McCain also won in New York, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Missouri, Connecticut, Delaware, and his home state of Arizona. Mr McCain also won in Illinois, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Missouri, Connecticut, Delaware, and his home state of Arizona.
In many Republican races, the winner takes all the state delegates to the national party convention. New York alone comes with 87 delegates.In many Republican races, the winner takes all the state delegates to the national party convention. New York alone comes with 87 delegates.
The Democratic race was as tight as forecast, although Mrs Clinton is ahead in the two biggest prizes.The Democratic race was as tight as forecast, although Mrs Clinton is ahead in the two biggest prizes.
In New York, her home state, she captured about 57% of votes to Mr Obama's 40%.In New York, her home state, she captured about 57% of votes to Mr Obama's 40%.
In California, with most precincts counted, Mrs Clinton had won 52% of Democratic votes and Mr Obama about 41%.In California, with most precincts counted, Mrs Clinton had won 52% of Democratic votes and Mr Obama about 41%.
Mrs Clinton also took Massachusetts and New Jersey, and well as southern, rural states such as Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas.Mrs Clinton also took Massachusetts and New Jersey, and well as southern, rural states such as Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas.
I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner John McCain Party split benefits McCainWinners not victorsConservative angstI think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner John McCain Party split benefits McCainWinners not victorsConservative angst
But Mr Obama took a greater number of states than Ms Clinton, including Georgia and his home state of Illinois - both big states.But Mr Obama took a greater number of states than Ms Clinton, including Georgia and his home state of Illinois - both big states.
He also carried Utah, North Dakota, Alabama, Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota.He also carried Utah, North Dakota, Alabama, Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota.
Mr Obama told supporters: "We don't need the final results to know our time has come." Mr Obama told supporters: "We don't need the final results to know our time has come." In terms of delegates captured, Mrs Clinton was only marginally ahead of the Illinois senator - under the Democrats' system of proportional distribution.
In terms of delegates captured, Mrs Clinton was only marginally ahead of the Illinois senator - under the Democrats' system of proportional distribution.
'All the way''All the way'
Overall, voters were choosing 42% of those delegates on Super Tuesday.Overall, voters were choosing 42% of those delegates on Super Tuesday.
REPORTS FROM THE CAMPS McCain sees 'long way ahead'Excitement in Clinton campObama buys more timeSubdued mood at Romney HQREPORTS FROM THE CAMPS McCain sees 'long way ahead'Excitement in Clinton campObama buys more timeSubdued mood at Romney HQ
In each state's primary or caucus, successful candidates are awarded delegates who formally choose the party's nominee at the national convention in six months' time.In each state's primary or caucus, successful candidates are awarded delegates who formally choose the party's nominee at the national convention in six months' time.
Among Mr McCain's supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, there was a mood of enormous optimism, said the BBC's David Willis.Among Mr McCain's supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, there was a mood of enormous optimism, said the BBC's David Willis.
"We must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the presidency of the United States," Mr McCain told supporters."We must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the presidency of the United States," Mr McCain told supporters.
WHAT IS SUPER TUESDAY? 24 states holding simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominationsAbout 40% of each party's delegates - who will choose the candidate - are up for grabsKey states electing large numbers of delegates include California, New York and Illinois Justin Webb's AmericaIn pictures: Super TuesdayQ: What's next?WHAT IS SUPER TUESDAY? 24 states holding simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominationsAbout 40% of each party's delegates - who will choose the candidate - are up for grabsKey states electing large numbers of delegates include California, New York and Illinois Justin Webb's AmericaIn pictures: Super TuesdayQ: What's next?
However it was Mr Huckabee who took the first state to announce a result, West Virginia. Overall, he went on to confound the polls, which had put him in a distant third, and came not far behind Mr Romney.However it was Mr Huckabee who took the first state to announce a result, West Virginia. Overall, he went on to confound the polls, which had put him in a distant third, and came not far behind Mr Romney.
He won across the south, in Arkansas, where he used to be governor, as well as Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.He won across the south, in Arkansas, where he used to be governor, as well as Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
"We are still on our feet and much to the amazement of many we are getting there folks," he told supporters in Arkansas."We are still on our feet and much to the amazement of many we are getting there folks," he told supporters in Arkansas.
Mr Romney won in Colorado, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska and Utah.Mr Romney won in Colorado, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska and Utah.
The former Massachusetts governor said he was not about to drop out of the race and was "going all the way to the White House".The former Massachusetts governor said he was not about to drop out of the race and was "going all the way to the White House".